s madhu bangarappa

Karnataka's II PU exam-1 saw a record 86.4% pass rate, attributed to strategic interventions by the education department. Key measures included timely syllabus completion, standardized study materials, and early teacher appointments. State-level preparatory exams identified learning gaps, enabling targeted support. Accountability was emphasized, with focused attention on underperforming regions and consistent monitoring of academic progress across colleges.

The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board reported a sharp improvement in SSLC 2026 results, with 94.1% of regular fresh students passing. Girls outperformed boys, and rural schools edged past urban institutions. Following the strong performance, School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa announced that a third exam will not be held in 2025–26. Students who did not qualify can appear for Exam-2, while the board will continue provisions for revaluation and supplementary assessments.

In a significant shift, Karnataka has introduced a grading system for the third language in the ongoing SSLC exams, removing pass-fail criteria and excluding its marks from final scores. Announced by Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, the move follows opposition to Hindi imposition. Separately, the state has relaxed the minimum age for Class 1 admissions across all boards.

Karnataka government has relaxed the age criteria for Class 1 admissions by 60 days for the 2026-27 academic year, allowing children who are 5 years and 10 months old on June 1 to enroll. This waiver, applicable to all school types and curricula, aims to address parental concerns following a previous order mandating a six-year age limit.

Karnataka's government is developing a comprehensive framework to regulate mobile phone and social media use for students under 16, acknowledging existing restrictions' weak enforcement. The proposed policy, aiming to protect children from harmful content, will be presented after wider consultations with parents and experts, seeking to set a national benchmark.